Samoa readies for GDS

SAMOA’S new national carrier Samoa Airways is set to become a whole lot more accessible for Australian agents, with the carrier planning GDS connectivity in Jun.

The airline is working to come online with Amadeus and Travelport, the carrier’s marketing and communications specialist Dwayne Bentley told TD.

Currently agents can book direct with the carrier through a dedicated online portal or through call centres in Auckland and Sydney, but Bentley said the GDS move would “really open things up for us, especially in the Australian market”.

Bentley emphasised the trade was “an integral part” of Samoa Airways’ marketing strategy and added that the GDS connection would be “very helpful in terms of our trade marketing strategy and distribution”.

Samoa Airways kicked off its inaugural flight towards the end of 2017 ( TD 17 Nov) and currently offers twice weekly flights to Apia from Sydney and six weekly services from Auckland.

Bentley said since Samoa Airways was introduced, the feedback from the Australian market had been very positive.

“We started selling in Sep and so the feedback that came through was that our fares were very competitive when we launched and people started flying, feedback came through about our product - our fares are all-inclusive with cabin bag, checked baggage, hot meal, beverage selection and inflight entertainment - so it’s been pretty positive,” he said.

Bentley said the airline’s product “is quite different” to that offered by Virgin Australia, noting “We’re a Samoan airline, we offer Samoan hospitality and that’s a very unique point of difference”.